Next month, a store dedicated to thigh-high socks is opening in Tokyo's geek district, Akihabara. That's right, only thigh-high socks.
Website Radio Kaikan reports that the shop is called "Zettai Ryoiki" (絶対領域) and opens on February 8. That's "Knee-High Day," an unofficial holiday and a Japanese pun on "two" (二 or "ni") and "eight" (八 or "hachi").
The term "zettai ryoiki" literally means "absolute territory," but is a geek term for the area of exposed flesh between high socks and a hemline. This type of leg wear often appears in anime, manga, and video games.
According to the shop, which claims to be the first of its kind in the world, there aren't many retailers who carry knee-high socks in Akihabara. And seeing how those threads are mainstays for maids and cosplayers, Zettai Ryoiki definitely hopes to fill that territory.
When Zettai Ryoiki opens, the store plans to have over a hundred different kinds of knee-high socks in stock, with them starting at 300 yen (around US$3) per leg, as well as hair bands and other original goods.
Staffer Jun gives a sneak peek at Zettai Ryoiki's inventory.
And a view outside the shop (courtesy of AkibaDailyNews):
2月8日「ニーハイの日」、世界初「ニーハイ専門店」が秋葉原にOPEN!! [Radio Kaikan]
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